Joy Cox, Fall Branch

Published February 14th, 2012 9:14 pm

Joy Cox passed away at home after several years of experiencing health issues. In 1995 she was diagnosed at John Hopkins University Medical Center with Sjogrens, an autoimmune disease that attacks the body’s glandular system.
She spent her last 15 years residing in Washington County, Tennessee at their retirement home, Cox Haven, with her husband, Weldon Cox, of 50 years of marriage.
After serving 20 years in the Sullivan County Schools as a secretary and bookkeeper she retired due to her health.
She received her degree in business and continued her education receiving the highest honor of Certified Professional Secretary, CPS, in 1986.
Joy was one of the charter members of the Holston Chapter of Professional Secretaries in the Kingsport area.
Her avid love for gardening led her in 1995 to become one of the original members of the Southern Appalachian Plant Society, SAPS. She has continued to be a member and in 2003 entered the UT Master Gardening Program and at her death was working toward becoming a lifetime member attaining 10 years of continuous service as a TN Master Gardener. She was an active member in the North East TN Master Gardener’s Association, NETNGA.
Joy was the only daughter of Watson and Lucille Helvey.
She is the wife of Weldon Cox for more than 50 years, and the mother of two sons and a daughter: Tod and wife Penny Cox, Kingsport, Dow and wife Bekki Cox, of Jonesborough, Tennessee, Alane and husband Wade Pilgrim, of Atlanta, Georgia. Four Grandchildren, Hunter Cox, Dow Weston Cox, India and Carley Anne Pilgrim.
As much as Joy loved flowers, to honor her wishes, she requested that in lieu of flowers those wishing to celebrate her life, send a monetary gift to: The National Sjorgren’s Foundation, 6707 Democracy Blvd, Ste 325, Bethesda, Maryland 20817. The names will be listed in the Sjogren’s newsletter, The Moisture Seekers, in the Memoriam Section with the money being earmarked for Sjogren’s research.
Private family graveside services will be conducted at Tri-Cities Memory Gardens in the Garden of Everlasting Life.
A time of Reflection will be held at Tri-Cities Funeral Home, Thursday, February 16, 2012, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., in a room designated as Room of Meditation.
You may post online condolences by visiting our website at www.tcmgandfuneral.com.
Tri-Cities Funeral Home is honored to serve the Cox family.